HJGT Code of Conduct

The HJGT code of conduct has been instituted to ensure an enjoyable event for each and every person attending the tournament. All HJGT competitors are expected to abide by all rules and regulations set forth by the tour.

Golf Attire

All HJGT participants are required to wear proper golf attire at the host facility. Blue jeans, cut offs, and t-shirts will not be permitted. If you show up to an event without proper attire you will be asked to change clothing. If you wear a hat, it must be worn in a proper manner at all times. All golf shirts are required to have a collar or mock turtle neck (host facility permitting) and be tucked in.

Behavior

The HJGT will not tolerate poor behavior at the host facility. All participants are expected to carry themselves as ladies and gentlemen at all times. Swearing, club throwing, yelling, and cheating will not be tolerated. Any major violation will result in a disqualification (DQ).

Drugs, Alcohol, and Tobacco

The HJGT does not allow the use of these products. These products will not be allowed on the golf course or any facility affiliated with the event. The use of these products will result in disqualification and possible suspension from future events.

Code of conduct violation penalties
The HJGT Tournament Committee, based on severity and frequency of the violation(s), may in accordance with Rule 33-7:

• Warn the player, or
• Disqualify the player from the tournament at which the violation occurs, or
• Depending on the severity of the violation, a tournament disqualification may also result in disqualification from the next tournament(s) for which a player has been accepted.

The HJGT reserves the right to suspend or revoke a player’s membership or entries for a serious breach of the HJGT Code of Conduct.

A player’s disregard of others is not limited to the current round but may include repeated offenses from tournament to tournament.

Appeals
Any appeal must be made in writing to the HJGT Tournament Committee at 11188 Campfield Circle- Jacksonville, FL-32256. Appeals must be made within two weeks of the occurrence.

 Pace of Play Policy

Following the lead of the USGA, the HJGT has developed a pace of play policy, based on Rule 6-7, that is fair to each and every competitor.

Rule 6-7. Undue Delay; Slow Play states: "The player must play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines that the Committee may establish. Between completion of a hole and playing from the next teeing ground, the player must not unduly delay play."

As a general rule, these include:

1st Breach: Any competitor who is discovered taking more than 40 seconds to play a stroke is subject to a warning for slow play and will be put on the clock.

2nd Breach: A competitor will be notified that exceeding 40 seconds will result in a penalty of one stroke.

3rd Breach: If a player continues to exceed 40 seconds a third violation will result in a two stroke penalty. A two stroke penalty will result in any additional breaches.

A warning is any notice given to a competitor regarding pace of play.

A competitor’s time to play begins when the competitor has had a reasonable opportunity to reach his or her ball and when it is the competitor’s turn to play and can do so without interference or distraction.

Penalties are applied individually, but more than one competitor in a group may be penalized. In general, competitors in a group are subject to being timed at any time but specifically when the group is deemed to be out of position and over the allotted pace of play guidelines.

HJGT Spectator Policy

General Conduct 

Your child is attempting to play at a national level and spectators will be held to a high standard at all HJGT events. Please be aware that coaching of any player, on the golf course, is not allowed. Quietly follow players and keep emotions to a minimum. Smoking and drinking should be kept to a minimum and is not encouraged at any of our events. 

Cell Phones

Cell phones are not to be used on the golf course. Please turn off all electronic devices or set them to a silent ring. Cell phones may be used at the clubhouse area (if the club permits).

Dress Code

All HJGT spectators are expected to dress appropriately at the host facility. Blue jeans, tank tops, short shorts, flip flops, and other casual attire should not be worn on the golf course.

Communication with HJGT Participants

Spectators may interact with players in the event of a health reason and handing them sunscreen, food, and beverage only. When a spectator decides to do this they should always do it in front of another spectator and/or other players.  (Rule 8- Advice)

Rules Officials

Rules officials will be scattered throughout the golf course to assist players in need of rulings, to monitor pace of play, and for emergency situations. Players and spectators should notify a rules official when a situation arises on the golf course.

In the situation there is not a rules official nearby; a player should play a second ball under rule 3-3. Please be aware it’s the player’s responsibility to know the rules of golf.

Spectators should respect a rules situation. All spectators are asked to stay 25 yards away and not to be involved in the conversation. A spectator will be brought into a situation only if asked by the official.

Spectators should not confront Officials. If a spectator has a question, or information, for an Official it should be done away from the players and in a calmly manner

Advice (Rule 8. Advice; Indicating Line of Play)

"Advice is any counsel or suggestion that could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of a club or the method of making a stroke. Information on the Rules or on matters of public information, such as the position of hazards or the flagstick on the putting green, is not advice."

Spectators are encouraged to stay out of rulings entirely. As a spectator you do not want to put a player in a situation where he gets a wrong ruling and is disqualified. You also put the player at risk of breaching Rule 8 (advice). All spectators are highly encouraged to read through Rule 8 (advice) in its entirety.

Penalty for a breach of Rule 8(advice) is loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play.

How to properly follow a group (Where you should stand & walk)

• All spectators should follow players from a distance (at least 25 yards) and stay in the rough or on the cart paths. Spectators should NOT be in the fairways.
• Always stay to the side of the action and remain calm and quiet.
• Please keep up with your group.
• Move forward to the putting green when all shots have been completed.
• Spectators must never be on the putting surface and should observe the putting green from a reasonable distance that will not interfere with the competitors.
• Looking for Balls – As a spectator please help spot balls for all participants. This is a practice that helps our pace of play and is highly encouraged by all spectators. Please keep in mind the five minute rule.

Spectator Cart Policy
(The HJGT takes this policy very seriously and any breach will result in the spectator cart being taken away)

Carts may be rented by spectators based on course availability - the daily fee is determined by each individual club and will be posted in the tournament information page on the website.

• Spectator carts are required to stay on the cart path at ALL times. If the golf course doesn't have cart paths then the cart must stay in the rough at all times.
• A maximum of three carts will be allowed per group. This is to ensure each group has the opportunity to purchase a spectator cart (based on availability).
• Carts may only move forward on the golf course (from tee to green) except in case of a weather evacuation. Carts may not move while competitors are playing a stroke
• Only 2 people per cart are allowed except during evacuation.
• Spectator carts will NOT be used for shuttling of players from green to tee unless stated on the Notice to Players (local rules sheet) that is given to each player.
• Spectator’s carts will be used to assist with evacuation of players and spectators and may leave the cart path as necessary during an evacuation. In the event that we need to evacuate the course, spectators who have a cart are encouraged to pick up as many juniors as possible to ensure quick safety.
• Spectator carts may carry water for players but no golf equipment and may also carry any other spectator's items such as umbrellas etc..

Appreciation of Golf Course and Staff

It is appropriate to express your appreciation to the host facility at the conclusion of an event. The golf course staff works very hard to ensure the course is in great shape and that we can have a enjoyable event. This significantly affects the HJGT being able to return to that particular facility in the future. Please set a great example for your child and all people present. As a spectator we ask that you also respect our volunteers and tournament staff. If it weren’t for the staff members and volunteers, the HJGT would not be able to run the caliber of event that you prefer.